Autism is a form of developmental disability that causes impairment of social interaction, communication (both verbal and nonverbal), behavior and interest.

An estimated 1.5 million Americans are currently living with autism, and 60,000 individuals live with it in the state of North Carolina. In many children, loss of language is the major, initial impairment.

However, other unusual behaviors may become apparent, such as spending hours lining up toys, showing interest in a very restricted range of topics, avoiding eye contact and having difficulty relating to other people.

While the cause of autism has not been identified, researchers in the field believe there is a strong genetic component to the condition, although it is possible that autism is caused by a combination of several factors.

Parents are usually the first to recognize concerning changes in their child’s behavior; and this should always be brought up with the child’s pediatrician.